I will be, once a month....maybe week depending on how bored I get, review a random, non-Skillet thing.
If I can tie it in with Skillet, I'll do my best.
The first one should be coming shortly.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Comatose Deluxe Edition
I hate rereleased. I will be reviewing both Comatose and the addition track in one blog. Take that, management.
6/10
Adding symphonic elements like those found in Collide's title track to a hard rock sound, the Comatose theory is great! It also comes free with a Kutless Copycat trick, where about half the CD is in fact, not hard rock! Yay!
I wanna live for love, I wanna live for you and me
Rebirthing
Kicking things off with an intense strings sections, which only gets more intense after the other instrumenets kick in, Rebirthing is one of the album highlights. The song speaks about being reborn in your faith as a Christian, or in life in general.
Tell me when I'm gonna live again, tell me when this fear will end. Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside, tell me when I'm gonna feel alive!
You come to Me with scars on your wrists, you tell Me this will be the last night feeling like this....
The Last Night
Starting with a soft piano intro, the song proves itself to be too heavy for a ballad, but doesn't exactly fall in the same category as the rockers either. Odd, but enjoyable, none-the-less. Here is what I got out of the song: Cooper, who plays God, has a person come to Him in prayer, desperately seeking help, but lacking patience, and wanting to kill himself or herself. God's answer is that He is always there for him or her, and He wants to be everything s/he needs.
This is the last night you'll spend alone! Look Me in the eyes so I know you know I'm everywhere you want Me to be. The last night you'll spend alone, I'll wrap you in My arms and I won't let go. I'm everything you need Me to be.
Starving for your attention, you don't even know my name
Yours to Hold
The album's first ballad, of several, it is one of the better ones. It's...well, not much to say spiritually. It could be taken as being there for a friend.
You're going through so much, don't you know that I could be the one to hold you
Feel Your every heartbeat, feel You on these empty nights. You're the strength of my life.
Better Than Drugs
A song that could have been on Collide. Using softer music and slight voice distortion during the verses, but getting heavy for the choruses, it follows a pattern from Collide. Lyrically, the song compares (contrasts?) God to drugs, saying that there is no need for them while He is in our lives, and that He is greater than anything this world can offer us.
Calm the aches, stop the shakes, You clear my mind!
I hate feeling like this, so tired of trying to fight this. I'm asleep and all I dream of is waking to You!
Comatose
Starting off with a synth reminsicent of Journey's Separate Ways, before introducing guitars signifacantly louder than Journey decided to use (...if only.....), Comatose is the third Highlight (Rebirthing, Better Than Drugs, Comatose). The songs, on the surface, is about living a life without God, and realizing that we Him. And it carries a metaphor on from Better Than Drugs: Comatose....I'll never wake up without an overdose of You! John Cooper also explained the message behind calling the record Comatose. Basically, the world is detiorating every day. Terrorism, war, child abuse, child abduction, violence, riots, drug use, suicide, depression, crime, sexual references are EVERYWHERE, etc. If we don't stop this, if we don't wake up from our comas and see what's going on in this world, then we are going to lose it, and then, when Judgment Day comes, we are just going to lose.
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe, 'less I feel You next to me, You take the pain I feel-Waking up to You never felt so real. I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream, 'cause my dreams don't comfort me the way You make me feel. You take the pain I feel-Waking up to You never felt so real!
It started getting better but it's easy not to fight when I'm not with you.
The Older I Get
Another soft song. Softer than the last night, a little faster than a ballad. I'd call it soft pop-rock, at best. It's okay, but gets old very quickly. The song has a theme similar to Open Wounds, except more peaceful, serene, and hopefuly, showing that John has put his anger and bitterness behind him.
The space between our calm and rage started getting shorter, disappearing slowly day after day
Remember when we'd stay up late and talk all night in a dark room lit by the TV light? Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
Those Nights
A song that is lighter than The Last Night, but still not a ballad. It actually has quite a pop-rock feel to it. Odd for Skillet, but not bad. It's my favorite "non-rocker" on the album. The song talks about being there for a friend...but on the flipside. John narrates about one particularly good friend who he was always with, and helped him through a lot of stuff in his life. Assuming this song is based on Cooper's experiences, one could assume that meant the death of his mother and his dysfunctional relationship with his father. I know I can relate to this song, and actually describes one of my friends really well. I didn't even realize it until I wrote this, either.
Listen to the radio play all night, didn't wanna go home to another fight. Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
I'm falling in the black, slipping through the cracks, falling to the depths, can I ever go back?
Falling Inside the Black
Highlight #4 opens up with some synth, before blasting into full rock mode. This song probably earns the most highly underrated song from Comatose, without a doubt (Older I Get is the most higly OVERrated). The song is about slipping away from God, and begging Him to take us back. The good news is, He will always take us back, as long as we truly want it.
Don't leave me here like this, can't hear me scream from the abyss, and now I wish for you, my desire.
I wish we could be laughing; instead I'm standing here asking "Do we have to end this now? Can we make it last somehow?"
Say Goodbye
A ballad, and my least favorite song on Comatose. The lyrics speak for themselves, and while relatable, the music is, for me (and I am the one writing the review), enough to make the song not worthwhile.
And if it's over it hurts, but I'm giving you my word: I hope you're always happy like we were.
Despite the lies that you're making, your love is mine for the taking. My love is just waiting to turn your tears to roses.
Whispers in the Dark
The last highlight on the standard edition, it is my favorite from Comatose, and the best song they perform live from the Comatose album, followed by Better Than Drugs. Heavy, with a more synth-keyboard feel than straight-up synth, the music is, well, rock-solid. As is the message. Addressed to us from God, the song basically says that even when we feel the most low, God is there with us, and wants to help and guide us. If only we would learn to let him...
No! You'll never be alone! When darkness comes I'll light the night with stars, hear my whispers in the dark. No! You'll never alone! When darkness comes you know I'm never far, hear my whispers in the dark.
We want it, we want, we want a reason to live.....We need it, we need, we need more than this
Looking For Angels
...is not a song. By any sense of the word. The only part that has any melody are the choruses, and the lines above during the verses, and even then it's more of a pop-rock feel than a real rock song. The words are SPOKEN. I don't know about you, but when I listen to music, I want to hear MUSIC. The song doesn't even feature John's real speaking voice! The ONLY redeeming quality of the song is last verse, where John actually stops using a monotone and speaks with passion in his voice! Maybe if the entire "song" were like that, I'd like it more. As it is, it's my third-least-favorite on Comatose.
I became a savior to some kids I'll never meet, sent a check in the mail to buy them something to eat. What will you do to make a difference, to make a change? What will you do to help someone along the way? Just a touch, a smile as you turn the other cheek. Pray for your enemies, humble yourself, love's staring back at me. In the midst of the most painful of faces, angels show up in the strangest of places.
Don't you know the cost of your betrayal? You're the one that's lost, you're gonna fail!
Live Free or Let Me Die
The only reason to buy Comatose Deluxe Edition is this song. It is an awesome song, very reminiscent of Whispers in the Dark, but different enough to be it's own. It's fast paced, and heavy, but keeps the gothic/synth element to it. It actually reminds me of Pain's "Same Old Song" in an abstract way. The lyrics are encouraging, refusing those who would want to bring us down.
You can't take away my strength, fix these broken veins, there's nothing left to fight, live free or let me die. You can't take away my pride, I won't be denied, there's nothing left to fight, live free or let me die! Do you remember how you became who you are now? Do you remember how it felt to breathe without gasping with all of you might?
I am not going to review the acoustic tracks. Reviews of the orginals are included, and if you like acoustics, they are well done. If you don't, they are still well done, you just won't like them. I still suggest getting the deluxe, because Live Free or Let Me Die is worth it.
6/10
Adding symphonic elements like those found in Collide's title track to a hard rock sound, the Comatose theory is great! It also comes free with a Kutless Copycat trick, where about half the CD is in fact, not hard rock! Yay!
I wanna live for love, I wanna live for you and me
Rebirthing
Kicking things off with an intense strings sections, which only gets more intense after the other instrumenets kick in, Rebirthing is one of the album highlights. The song speaks about being reborn in your faith as a Christian, or in life in general.
Tell me when I'm gonna live again, tell me when this fear will end. Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside, tell me when I'm gonna feel alive!
You come to Me with scars on your wrists, you tell Me this will be the last night feeling like this....
The Last Night
Starting with a soft piano intro, the song proves itself to be too heavy for a ballad, but doesn't exactly fall in the same category as the rockers either. Odd, but enjoyable, none-the-less. Here is what I got out of the song: Cooper, who plays God, has a person come to Him in prayer, desperately seeking help, but lacking patience, and wanting to kill himself or herself. God's answer is that He is always there for him or her, and He wants to be everything s/he needs.
This is the last night you'll spend alone! Look Me in the eyes so I know you know I'm everywhere you want Me to be. The last night you'll spend alone, I'll wrap you in My arms and I won't let go. I'm everything you need Me to be.
Starving for your attention, you don't even know my name
Yours to Hold
The album's first ballad, of several, it is one of the better ones. It's...well, not much to say spiritually. It could be taken as being there for a friend.
You're going through so much, don't you know that I could be the one to hold you
Feel Your every heartbeat, feel You on these empty nights. You're the strength of my life.
Better Than Drugs
A song that could have been on Collide. Using softer music and slight voice distortion during the verses, but getting heavy for the choruses, it follows a pattern from Collide. Lyrically, the song compares (contrasts?) God to drugs, saying that there is no need for them while He is in our lives, and that He is greater than anything this world can offer us.
Calm the aches, stop the shakes, You clear my mind!
I hate feeling like this, so tired of trying to fight this. I'm asleep and all I dream of is waking to You!
Comatose
Starting off with a synth reminsicent of Journey's Separate Ways, before introducing guitars signifacantly louder than Journey decided to use (...if only.....), Comatose is the third Highlight (Rebirthing, Better Than Drugs, Comatose). The songs, on the surface, is about living a life without God, and realizing that we Him. And it carries a metaphor on from Better Than Drugs: Comatose....I'll never wake up without an overdose of You! John Cooper also explained the message behind calling the record Comatose. Basically, the world is detiorating every day. Terrorism, war, child abuse, child abduction, violence, riots, drug use, suicide, depression, crime, sexual references are EVERYWHERE, etc. If we don't stop this, if we don't wake up from our comas and see what's going on in this world, then we are going to lose it, and then, when Judgment Day comes, we are just going to lose.
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe, 'less I feel You next to me, You take the pain I feel-Waking up to You never felt so real. I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream, 'cause my dreams don't comfort me the way You make me feel. You take the pain I feel-Waking up to You never felt so real!
It started getting better but it's easy not to fight when I'm not with you.
The Older I Get
Another soft song. Softer than the last night, a little faster than a ballad. I'd call it soft pop-rock, at best. It's okay, but gets old very quickly. The song has a theme similar to Open Wounds, except more peaceful, serene, and hopefuly, showing that John has put his anger and bitterness behind him.
The space between our calm and rage started getting shorter, disappearing slowly day after day
Remember when we'd stay up late and talk all night in a dark room lit by the TV light? Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
Those Nights
A song that is lighter than The Last Night, but still not a ballad. It actually has quite a pop-rock feel to it. Odd for Skillet, but not bad. It's my favorite "non-rocker" on the album. The song talks about being there for a friend...but on the flipside. John narrates about one particularly good friend who he was always with, and helped him through a lot of stuff in his life. Assuming this song is based on Cooper's experiences, one could assume that meant the death of his mother and his dysfunctional relationship with his father. I know I can relate to this song, and actually describes one of my friends really well. I didn't even realize it until I wrote this, either.
Listen to the radio play all night, didn't wanna go home to another fight. Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
I'm falling in the black, slipping through the cracks, falling to the depths, can I ever go back?
Falling Inside the Black
Highlight #4 opens up with some synth, before blasting into full rock mode. This song probably earns the most highly underrated song from Comatose, without a doubt (Older I Get is the most higly OVERrated). The song is about slipping away from God, and begging Him to take us back. The good news is, He will always take us back, as long as we truly want it.
Don't leave me here like this, can't hear me scream from the abyss, and now I wish for you, my desire.
I wish we could be laughing; instead I'm standing here asking "Do we have to end this now? Can we make it last somehow?"
Say Goodbye
A ballad, and my least favorite song on Comatose. The lyrics speak for themselves, and while relatable, the music is, for me (and I am the one writing the review), enough to make the song not worthwhile.
And if it's over it hurts, but I'm giving you my word: I hope you're always happy like we were.
Despite the lies that you're making, your love is mine for the taking. My love is just waiting to turn your tears to roses.
Whispers in the Dark
The last highlight on the standard edition, it is my favorite from Comatose, and the best song they perform live from the Comatose album, followed by Better Than Drugs. Heavy, with a more synth-keyboard feel than straight-up synth, the music is, well, rock-solid. As is the message. Addressed to us from God, the song basically says that even when we feel the most low, God is there with us, and wants to help and guide us. If only we would learn to let him...
No! You'll never be alone! When darkness comes I'll light the night with stars, hear my whispers in the dark. No! You'll never alone! When darkness comes you know I'm never far, hear my whispers in the dark.
We want it, we want, we want a reason to live.....We need it, we need, we need more than this
Looking For Angels
...is not a song. By any sense of the word. The only part that has any melody are the choruses, and the lines above during the verses, and even then it's more of a pop-rock feel than a real rock song. The words are SPOKEN. I don't know about you, but when I listen to music, I want to hear MUSIC. The song doesn't even feature John's real speaking voice! The ONLY redeeming quality of the song is last verse, where John actually stops using a monotone and speaks with passion in his voice! Maybe if the entire "song" were like that, I'd like it more. As it is, it's my third-least-favorite on Comatose.
I became a savior to some kids I'll never meet, sent a check in the mail to buy them something to eat. What will you do to make a difference, to make a change? What will you do to help someone along the way? Just a touch, a smile as you turn the other cheek. Pray for your enemies, humble yourself, love's staring back at me. In the midst of the most painful of faces, angels show up in the strangest of places.
Don't you know the cost of your betrayal? You're the one that's lost, you're gonna fail!
Live Free or Let Me Die
The only reason to buy Comatose Deluxe Edition is this song. It is an awesome song, very reminiscent of Whispers in the Dark, but different enough to be it's own. It's fast paced, and heavy, but keeps the gothic/synth element to it. It actually reminds me of Pain's "Same Old Song" in an abstract way. The lyrics are encouraging, refusing those who would want to bring us down.
You can't take away my strength, fix these broken veins, there's nothing left to fight, live free or let me die. You can't take away my pride, I won't be denied, there's nothing left to fight, live free or let me die! Do you remember how you became who you are now? Do you remember how it felt to breathe without gasping with all of you might?
I am not going to review the acoustic tracks. Reviews of the orginals are included, and if you like acoustics, they are well done. If you don't, they are still well done, you just won't like them. I still suggest getting the deluxe, because Live Free or Let Me Die is worth it.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Collide
Since Collide was rereleased in 2004 with the same songs, plus one, I will be reviewing that edition, since the explications will still all be there.
9.5/10
Collide completely abandons any traces of Techno, Industrial, or Electronica elements Skillet has had before, and instead reminds the world why they are considered a Hard Rock band.
I recall going madly in love with You, and I remember this, how could I forget?
Forsaken
The album opens with an undeniably heavy guitar intro in the form of Forsaken. Easily in the top 5 heaviest songs Skillet has ever recorded, complete with crusing bass, hardcore drums, shredding guitars, and gutteral screams, Forsaken speaks of feeling, well, forsaken by God, but realizing that everything He does is for us.
I recall pledging my sole devotion to You, it reminds me how, now I'm on my knees. My guilt consumes, lost the will in me. Wasting away before You, hold me closer please.
What you got, what you want, what you need - Gonna be your Savior. Everything's gonna crash and break, your Savior!
Savior
Starting with an acoustic intro with a hint at a strings setting on a keyboard, Savior slams into heavy guitars before mellowing out for the verses, and getting heavy during the chorus and bridge. The songs is from God, to us. It is saying that He knows everything, what we have, what we desire, and what we need, as well as the future, and if we let Him, He will be our Savior.
I am the eyes inside staring back at you! You need, you need...me! Yeah!
And you can't stop me from falling apart, because my self destruction is all your fault!
Open Wounds
The bonus track on the Collide rerelease, it replaced the title track for slot number 3, and the title track was put in between My Obsession and Fingernails. Starting out with an intro that sounds like it could potentially be Alien Youth-esque in a very broad sense of music, it soon reveals itself to be a very angry song. It inspired by John's childhood with his father. They had such a tense relationship that both John and Korey have said that he[John] didn't even want his father at their wedding. But God called John to reach out to his father, and he did, and miraculously his father reached back, proving the power God has. This is one of those songs where listeners can go "Hey! Someone gets it!" because of lines like In the dark with the music on, wishing I was somewhere else. I know, personally, I have found myself in almost that exact scenario countless times.
How could you hate me when all I ever wanted to be was you!? How could you love me when all you ever gave me was open wounds!?
Let the world crash, love can take it. Let the world come crashing down. Let the world crash, love can take it. Love can take a little-, Love can give-, a little more.
A Little More
The albums first ballad, it was originally written by John and Korey for Alien Youth, but they held off, and rerecorded and reproduced it for this record, instead. It is truely a "power ballad" with soft enough instruments, but still not acoustic or "wimpy." Speaking of the power that love can have to change the world, the song encourages people not only to love others more than themselves, but to trust in the love God has for us.
Love is all around, you know, so take a hold. Hidden in our words, sometimes it ain't enough. Don't suffocate day after day, it's building up, cause when your feeling weak, you know I'm strong enough. Just one more day...one more day.
Am I a lunatic? I'm going crazy for just a touch from-, for just a word from-, You.
My Obsession
Drifting out of ballad land into a suppressed guitar intro before slamming into full-force hard rock, My Obsession is just one of those songs that you have no choice but to headbang to. Even now, writing this review is difficult, because my head can't keep still. The is a praise song, calling God our only infatuation, but it serves another purpose. For me, anyway, it made me think "if God isn't my only obsession, what am I doing wrong?" and started to focus less on worldly things and more on Him.
You're my only infatuation! Don't leave me stranded in my obsession! My purpose, my possesions, live and die in my obsession!
**I would like to take a few sentances to analyze that line there. It won't take long. Basically, his purpose and possessions only exist because God will them to (living in his obsession), and he will gladly discard them if he feels compelled to by God (dying in his obsession). Some people couldn't comprehend that, so I thought I'd break it down**
There's something deep inside that keeps my faith alive when all you can do is hide from the fear that's deep inside of you.
Collide
This song was track 3 on the original Collide, but got moved here to have the order sound better with Open Wounds added. Opening with an awesome orchestrated intro, the song gets boring after that. Yay, heavy guitars that just play the same power chord over and over and over and over. And the something, something, something, something, something reptition during the chorus gets redundant and annoying after the first time hearing the chorus. The song itself is about finding a reason to believe amidst all the fear in our lives, hence the title, coming from the line Can we take a chance when faith and fear collide? It is a message of hope, fitting before Fingernails, but the song itself gets old, fast, except the intro.
We have fallen again tonight. Where do we go from here when they're tearing down our lives?
Never reaching what I want to reach. Never being who I want to be. Blaming me when I fall and fail, all my dreams splintering under my fingernails.
Fingernails
A suitably creepy intro preceedes a heavy song, with blazing guitars throughout. The song is about realizing that we are not perfect, a fact that some people struggle to deal with, and blame themselves for. Yet, if we were perfect, Christ's sacrifice on the Cross would have been in vain, so as dark as the message sounds, without any sort of line of hope in the song, clinging to that fact makes the message behind the song even more apparant.
I'm suffering, I'm bleeding, on my knees, who's gonna save me? Suffering....bleeding....save me from this pit of frailty!
Tears falling down again, come let the healing begin
Imperfection
As drums, guitar, and keys slowly start to rise in volume, and bass is added to it, you are being prepared for the best song on the record, by far. Following Savior's pattern of mellowing out in the verses, and getting heavy in the choruses and bridge, the song also includes one of my favorite solos from Skillet. The song itself is similar in theme to Fingernails, but spoken from God's perspecitve. "Yeah, I know all that, but why can't you see what I see?" Mixing in lyrics that once again reveals the heart and compassion of Skillet, with lyrics that just scream "I get it! I've been there too!" and other lyrics with a message of hope, revealing that God doesn't expect us to be perfect. Once again, if we were, Jesus Christ died for nothing.
You fall to your knees, you beg, you plead "can I be somebody else for all the times I hate myself!?" Your failures devour your heart in every hour, you're drowning in your imperfection.
When I hurt, when I bleed, You're holding me!
Under My Skin
The second and final ballad on the album, it is a praise song to God, basically saying he heals all our wounds. Like A Little More, this song is a little edgier than most ballads, but still not even close to a rocker. This is a good song, overall, but it gets old pretty fast. Except for the bridge, which is amazing.
Could I be lost, could I disappear? Could I be lost, would you find me here? Could I be lost in a secret place? Could I rest in the shadow of Your Face?
Power is another word that I use to describe You, Your mighty winds come and blow me away!
Energy
Quite possibly the heaviest song on the record, with the only competition being Forsaken, you know you are in for a face-melter when you hear the intro guitars and Cooper's screaming. It is a praise song, but out of the form of a ballad. In that sense it's reminiscent of Disciple's "Before You," even though the songs don't sound anywhere close to similar. Definitely in my top three from Collide, along with Imperfection and Open Wounds.
You're a silent rage, You're a hurricane, You are everything I cannot see and can't explain. You're an enigma wrapped in a mystery, everywhere I go I can't escape Your energy!
I am on a higher ground, You are my cure from the cycle down.
Cycle Down
Opening with heavy guitars, the song is similar to Savior and Imperfection in structure, but not QUITE as good as either. The lyrics are about how low we as humans can sometimes feel, and sink into a pit of despair in a cycle of depression and anger, but God can be our cure from that cycle down into a nightmare.
Sinking in a sea of self, deception never sold so well. Regret like I have not, pain like I don't want...
9.5/10
Collide completely abandons any traces of Techno, Industrial, or Electronica elements Skillet has had before, and instead reminds the world why they are considered a Hard Rock band.
I recall going madly in love with You, and I remember this, how could I forget?
Forsaken
The album opens with an undeniably heavy guitar intro in the form of Forsaken. Easily in the top 5 heaviest songs Skillet has ever recorded, complete with crusing bass, hardcore drums, shredding guitars, and gutteral screams, Forsaken speaks of feeling, well, forsaken by God, but realizing that everything He does is for us.
I recall pledging my sole devotion to You, it reminds me how, now I'm on my knees. My guilt consumes, lost the will in me. Wasting away before You, hold me closer please.
What you got, what you want, what you need - Gonna be your Savior. Everything's gonna crash and break, your Savior!
Savior
Starting with an acoustic intro with a hint at a strings setting on a keyboard, Savior slams into heavy guitars before mellowing out for the verses, and getting heavy during the chorus and bridge. The songs is from God, to us. It is saying that He knows everything, what we have, what we desire, and what we need, as well as the future, and if we let Him, He will be our Savior.
I am the eyes inside staring back at you! You need, you need...me! Yeah!
And you can't stop me from falling apart, because my self destruction is all your fault!
Open Wounds
The bonus track on the Collide rerelease, it replaced the title track for slot number 3, and the title track was put in between My Obsession and Fingernails. Starting out with an intro that sounds like it could potentially be Alien Youth-esque in a very broad sense of music, it soon reveals itself to be a very angry song. It inspired by John's childhood with his father. They had such a tense relationship that both John and Korey have said that he[John] didn't even want his father at their wedding. But God called John to reach out to his father, and he did, and miraculously his father reached back, proving the power God has. This is one of those songs where listeners can go "Hey! Someone gets it!" because of lines like In the dark with the music on, wishing I was somewhere else. I know, personally, I have found myself in almost that exact scenario countless times.
How could you hate me when all I ever wanted to be was you!? How could you love me when all you ever gave me was open wounds!?
Let the world crash, love can take it. Let the world come crashing down. Let the world crash, love can take it. Love can take a little-, Love can give-, a little more.
A Little More
The albums first ballad, it was originally written by John and Korey for Alien Youth, but they held off, and rerecorded and reproduced it for this record, instead. It is truely a "power ballad" with soft enough instruments, but still not acoustic or "wimpy." Speaking of the power that love can have to change the world, the song encourages people not only to love others more than themselves, but to trust in the love God has for us.
Love is all around, you know, so take a hold. Hidden in our words, sometimes it ain't enough. Don't suffocate day after day, it's building up, cause when your feeling weak, you know I'm strong enough. Just one more day...one more day.
Am I a lunatic? I'm going crazy for just a touch from-, for just a word from-, You.
My Obsession
Drifting out of ballad land into a suppressed guitar intro before slamming into full-force hard rock, My Obsession is just one of those songs that you have no choice but to headbang to. Even now, writing this review is difficult, because my head can't keep still. The is a praise song, calling God our only infatuation, but it serves another purpose. For me, anyway, it made me think "if God isn't my only obsession, what am I doing wrong?" and started to focus less on worldly things and more on Him.
You're my only infatuation! Don't leave me stranded in my obsession! My purpose, my possesions, live and die in my obsession!
**I would like to take a few sentances to analyze that line there. It won't take long. Basically, his purpose and possessions only exist because God will them to (living in his obsession), and he will gladly discard them if he feels compelled to by God (dying in his obsession). Some people couldn't comprehend that, so I thought I'd break it down**
There's something deep inside that keeps my faith alive when all you can do is hide from the fear that's deep inside of you.
Collide
This song was track 3 on the original Collide, but got moved here to have the order sound better with Open Wounds added. Opening with an awesome orchestrated intro, the song gets boring after that. Yay, heavy guitars that just play the same power chord over and over and over and over. And the something, something, something, something, something reptition during the chorus gets redundant and annoying after the first time hearing the chorus. The song itself is about finding a reason to believe amidst all the fear in our lives, hence the title, coming from the line Can we take a chance when faith and fear collide? It is a message of hope, fitting before Fingernails, but the song itself gets old, fast, except the intro.
We have fallen again tonight. Where do we go from here when they're tearing down our lives?
Never reaching what I want to reach. Never being who I want to be. Blaming me when I fall and fail, all my dreams splintering under my fingernails.
Fingernails
A suitably creepy intro preceedes a heavy song, with blazing guitars throughout. The song is about realizing that we are not perfect, a fact that some people struggle to deal with, and blame themselves for. Yet, if we were perfect, Christ's sacrifice on the Cross would have been in vain, so as dark as the message sounds, without any sort of line of hope in the song, clinging to that fact makes the message behind the song even more apparant.
I'm suffering, I'm bleeding, on my knees, who's gonna save me? Suffering....bleeding....save me from this pit of frailty!
Tears falling down again, come let the healing begin
Imperfection
As drums, guitar, and keys slowly start to rise in volume, and bass is added to it, you are being prepared for the best song on the record, by far. Following Savior's pattern of mellowing out in the verses, and getting heavy in the choruses and bridge, the song also includes one of my favorite solos from Skillet. The song itself is similar in theme to Fingernails, but spoken from God's perspecitve. "Yeah, I know all that, but why can't you see what I see?" Mixing in lyrics that once again reveals the heart and compassion of Skillet, with lyrics that just scream "I get it! I've been there too!" and other lyrics with a message of hope, revealing that God doesn't expect us to be perfect. Once again, if we were, Jesus Christ died for nothing.
You fall to your knees, you beg, you plead "can I be somebody else for all the times I hate myself!?" Your failures devour your heart in every hour, you're drowning in your imperfection.
When I hurt, when I bleed, You're holding me!
Under My Skin
The second and final ballad on the album, it is a praise song to God, basically saying he heals all our wounds. Like A Little More, this song is a little edgier than most ballads, but still not even close to a rocker. This is a good song, overall, but it gets old pretty fast. Except for the bridge, which is amazing.
Could I be lost, could I disappear? Could I be lost, would you find me here? Could I be lost in a secret place? Could I rest in the shadow of Your Face?
Power is another word that I use to describe You, Your mighty winds come and blow me away!
Energy
Quite possibly the heaviest song on the record, with the only competition being Forsaken, you know you are in for a face-melter when you hear the intro guitars and Cooper's screaming. It is a praise song, but out of the form of a ballad. In that sense it's reminiscent of Disciple's "Before You," even though the songs don't sound anywhere close to similar. Definitely in my top three from Collide, along with Imperfection and Open Wounds.
You're a silent rage, You're a hurricane, You are everything I cannot see and can't explain. You're an enigma wrapped in a mystery, everywhere I go I can't escape Your energy!
I am on a higher ground, You are my cure from the cycle down.
Cycle Down
Opening with heavy guitars, the song is similar to Savior and Imperfection in structure, but not QUITE as good as either. The lyrics are about how low we as humans can sometimes feel, and sink into a pit of despair in a cycle of depression and anger, but God can be our cure from that cycle down into a nightmare.
Sinking in a sea of self, deception never sold so well. Regret like I have not, pain like I don't want...
Awake....deluxe!?
So, as some of you may already know, I have preordered 3 copies of Awake, for the different goodies that come with them. I bought one preorder at a show I went to in Greensburg April 5. I bought one from ChristianBook.com, because of the sick-freakin'-nasty T-Shirt that comes with it. I bought one from Skillet's official one for a second T-Shirt and a signed Tour-Pass souvenir.
Today, it was revealed that there will be a Deluxe edition of Awake, and NO ONE was aware of it before today. Skillet's management let us prebuy something without knowing all of our options! Now, it is conceivable that they will send a Deluxe edition instead of standard for the prebuy, however some nagging part of me doesn't think so. And if gut instincts don't cut it for you, I have other reasons, but none I'm at liberty to share.
It comes with 2 songs not on the standard release. The real question is are these 2 songs acoustics of songs on the record, B-Sides (Smile Again, perhaps?), or entirely new songs? Probably the latter, but I'm not sure of anything right now.
Another question: If they do not automatically send Deluxe to prebuyers, will there be an option to uprgrade our purchase, or do I have to buy a 4th copy of the album?
It would seem to me, from this and several other incidents, that certain members of Skillet's management could care less about the bands morals, and are doing anything to promote them, and their only goal is success.
I'll add another blog as soon as I have more information.
Today, it was revealed that there will be a Deluxe edition of Awake, and NO ONE was aware of it before today. Skillet's management let us prebuy something without knowing all of our options! Now, it is conceivable that they will send a Deluxe edition instead of standard for the prebuy, however some nagging part of me doesn't think so. And if gut instincts don't cut it for you, I have other reasons, but none I'm at liberty to share.
It comes with 2 songs not on the standard release. The real question is are these 2 songs acoustics of songs on the record, B-Sides (Smile Again, perhaps?), or entirely new songs? Probably the latter, but I'm not sure of anything right now.
Another question: If they do not automatically send Deluxe to prebuyers, will there be an option to uprgrade our purchase, or do I have to buy a 4th copy of the album?
It would seem to me, from this and several other incidents, that certain members of Skillet's management could care less about the bands morals, and are doing anything to promote them, and their only goal is success.
I'll add another blog as soon as I have more information.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Alien Youth
10/10
Skillet's 2001 release, Alien Youth, took their techno to a whole new level by fusing it with
Hard Rock (think The Fire Breathes, and heavier)...
**Fun Fact: The sound for this album was HEAVILY influenced by Mortal's Fathom album, one of John's favorties. The first song from that tape is called Alive and Awake. Coincidentally, the title of one of the songs from Skillet's upcoming album, Awake, is called Awake and Alive.**
It's been confirmed that the aliens have landed.
Alien Youth
Kicking off with techno sounds and loud distorted guitars, the listener can just tell they're in for a treat. Essentially an anthem for Christians, calling us to be not of this world, and join the Alien Youth, in an attempt to change it for the better.
Worldwide Jesus domination, love conquers all!
I'm a beep, I'm a vapor, I'm just a blinking light!
Vapor
One of the heaviest on the record, Vapor slams in with lyrics about how fleeting our lives are, but how much of a difference we can make while we're here.
I'm a beep, I'm a vapor, and I'm about to evaporate.
One man, one mission, one plot to save the world....
Earth Invasion
Then, the pop-heavy Earth Invasion comes in, with a continuation of the theme presented in Alien Youth. Describing the coming of the Kingdom of God as an Alien Invasion, they tell everyone they need to repent if they want to have eternal life. They just use more fun, metaphorical phrasing.
Join us in the army that's arising, the truth invades your mind. Every day the Kingdom is advancing...The earth invasion has just begun!
You're the hope of all the Earth
You Are My Hope
The albums first ballad, the song is more straightforward than any have been so far in the record. It's a cry out to God, that we need Him, and He can fix anything.
Nations stream and angels sing, "Jesus reigns"
Save me from my rage and my humanity! I'm more nothing than being, is this my legacy? Feel it eating me away!
Eating Me Away
After a slow start, this song is one of the heaviest on the record. Talking of how our imperfections and short comings can eat us alive, and how God has forgiven us from them, is
song stands out as the best on the record, in my opinion.
All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack, come on and save me!
Break my bones and reset me...
Kill Me, Heal Me
This song starts before you know Eating Me Away is over, and kicks off with blazing guitars that sound like they belong more on Skillet's next record, Collide. The industrial effects and the distorted voice during the verses are the only indications that this song belongs on this record. Pleading God to break us, and make us what He wants us to be, this song carries over a common theme from Invincible.
I can't live without it!
I wanna taste it, I need to taste it, deep in the Savior's arms.
The Thirst is Taking Over
An extremely creepy, dark song is next. Slow at first, but gets almost as heavy as Eating Me Away after the bridge, in the final 2 minutes. The song speaks from the point of view of someone who is demon possessed, crying out to Jesus to save them. Plenty of dark symbolism and a 6 and a half minute run time help cement this song as one of the most memorable on the record.
Hardly breathe, I'm in urgent need, You know the thirst is taking over.
Speak, and my heart starts aching. Reach, and the numbness dims. Beat, still my minds uncertain. Breathe, it begins again.
One Real Thing
The albums second ballad. This is actually my favorite ballad on the record. It's a praise song, straight from us to God. Plain and simple.
You are the One Real Thing, You are the One True Thing that I know. You are the One Real Thing no matter what the future brings, You're the One Real Thing! I get down on my knees and I feel Your Love wash over me!
The fear tries to take me, The flesh tries to pull. Blackness all around me but I'm undefeatable!
Stronger
Another song in the running for heaviest of the record, it has a heavy industrial sound that puts Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, and Nine Inch Nails to shame. Lyrically, it is straghtforward...I'm stronger than the devil. If we rely on God, evil cannot touch us.
All creation watches for Him to arrive!
You say that God is dead but you're rippin' me off!
Ripping Me Off
Another heavy song, but one that focuses more on the industrial aspect, even including an EXTREMELY distorted voice in the beginning. For those wondering, the voice is saying "I will always believe" or "I must believe" (I think it's the first one, but I've heard it both ways). The lyrics come from an interesting story of John Cooper attending a Marilyn Manson concert, and got angry because of how he was influencing the generation, and felt that he was "ripping them off".
They can't believe in a loving God Who doesn't believe in atheists!
As I fall to sleep, will You comfort me? When my heart is weak, will You rescue me?
Will You Be There?
The third ballad, this is a simple cry to God for help. The alternating vocals from John and Korey are beautifully done.
Will You be there as I grow cold? Will You be there when I'm falling down?
I'm out of touch, out of reach. But I'm running towards you and it's all I believe.
Come My Way
A piano ballad. Personally, I'd rather they didn't close on a ballad, but it's still a better closer than their Debut's. The lyrics are again, simple and unobstructed by metaphors. It's a cry out to God to notice you, and help you.
What would it take for You to walk towards me?
Skillet's 2001 release, Alien Youth, took their techno to a whole new level by fusing it with
Hard Rock (think The Fire Breathes, and heavier)...
**Fun Fact: The sound for this album was HEAVILY influenced by Mortal's Fathom album, one of John's favorties. The first song from that tape is called Alive and Awake. Coincidentally, the title of one of the songs from Skillet's upcoming album, Awake, is called Awake and Alive.**
It's been confirmed that the aliens have landed.
Alien Youth
Kicking off with techno sounds and loud distorted guitars, the listener can just tell they're in for a treat. Essentially an anthem for Christians, calling us to be not of this world, and join the Alien Youth, in an attempt to change it for the better.
Worldwide Jesus domination, love conquers all!
I'm a beep, I'm a vapor, I'm just a blinking light!
Vapor
One of the heaviest on the record, Vapor slams in with lyrics about how fleeting our lives are, but how much of a difference we can make while we're here.
I'm a beep, I'm a vapor, and I'm about to evaporate.
One man, one mission, one plot to save the world....
Earth Invasion
Then, the pop-heavy Earth Invasion comes in, with a continuation of the theme presented in Alien Youth. Describing the coming of the Kingdom of God as an Alien Invasion, they tell everyone they need to repent if they want to have eternal life. They just use more fun, metaphorical phrasing.
Join us in the army that's arising, the truth invades your mind. Every day the Kingdom is advancing...The earth invasion has just begun!
You're the hope of all the Earth
You Are My Hope
The albums first ballad, the song is more straightforward than any have been so far in the record. It's a cry out to God, that we need Him, and He can fix anything.
Nations stream and angels sing, "Jesus reigns"
Save me from my rage and my humanity! I'm more nothing than being, is this my legacy? Feel it eating me away!
Eating Me Away
After a slow start, this song is one of the heaviest on the record. Talking of how our imperfections and short comings can eat us alive, and how God has forgiven us from them, is
song stands out as the best on the record, in my opinion.
All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack, come on and save me!
Break my bones and reset me...
Kill Me, Heal Me
This song starts before you know Eating Me Away is over, and kicks off with blazing guitars that sound like they belong more on Skillet's next record, Collide. The industrial effects and the distorted voice during the verses are the only indications that this song belongs on this record. Pleading God to break us, and make us what He wants us to be, this song carries over a common theme from Invincible.
I can't live without it!
I wanna taste it, I need to taste it, deep in the Savior's arms.
The Thirst is Taking Over
An extremely creepy, dark song is next. Slow at first, but gets almost as heavy as Eating Me Away after the bridge, in the final 2 minutes. The song speaks from the point of view of someone who is demon possessed, crying out to Jesus to save them. Plenty of dark symbolism and a 6 and a half minute run time help cement this song as one of the most memorable on the record.
Hardly breathe, I'm in urgent need, You know the thirst is taking over.
Speak, and my heart starts aching. Reach, and the numbness dims. Beat, still my minds uncertain. Breathe, it begins again.
One Real Thing
The albums second ballad. This is actually my favorite ballad on the record. It's a praise song, straight from us to God. Plain and simple.
You are the One Real Thing, You are the One True Thing that I know. You are the One Real Thing no matter what the future brings, You're the One Real Thing! I get down on my knees and I feel Your Love wash over me!
The fear tries to take me, The flesh tries to pull. Blackness all around me but I'm undefeatable!
Stronger
Another song in the running for heaviest of the record, it has a heavy industrial sound that puts Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, and Nine Inch Nails to shame. Lyrically, it is straghtforward...I'm stronger than the devil. If we rely on God, evil cannot touch us.
All creation watches for Him to arrive!
You say that God is dead but you're rippin' me off!
Ripping Me Off
Another heavy song, but one that focuses more on the industrial aspect, even including an EXTREMELY distorted voice in the beginning. For those wondering, the voice is saying "I will always believe" or "I must believe" (I think it's the first one, but I've heard it both ways). The lyrics come from an interesting story of John Cooper attending a Marilyn Manson concert, and got angry because of how he was influencing the generation, and felt that he was "ripping them off".
They can't believe in a loving God Who doesn't believe in atheists!
As I fall to sleep, will You comfort me? When my heart is weak, will You rescue me?
Will You Be There?
The third ballad, this is a simple cry to God for help. The alternating vocals from John and Korey are beautifully done.
Will You be there as I grow cold? Will You be there when I'm falling down?
I'm out of touch, out of reach. But I'm running towards you and it's all I believe.
Come My Way
A piano ballad. Personally, I'd rather they didn't close on a ballad, but it's still a better closer than their Debut's. The lyrics are again, simple and unobstructed by metaphors. It's a cry out to God to notice you, and help you.
What would it take for You to walk towards me?
Ardent Worship
I am not reviewing a worship album. If you like worship music, go, buy it, enjoy it. If you don't, buy it anyway, just don't listen to it.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Invincible
5/10
Skillet's 2000 release, Invincible, brought their techno/electronic rock to a whole new level.
You're the best kept secret in my generation, the best kept secret of all time.
Best Kept Secret
Opening with blazing synthesizers, the song points out the sad truth that God is a secret, that too many people keep. It's a straightforward, great song.
And I can't live for myself, I can't keep this all to myself.
You take my rights away, you take control, no stopping you. You take my rights away, I can take it!
You Take My Rights Away
After a slow, techno intro, the song takes off and proves to be one of the heavier songs on the record. The song is another straightforward song about surrendering your life to God.
You define me with your identity, lose my life in you, I can take, I'll take what it cost me.
I'm invincible, I'm unshakeable through the truth in my soul.
Invincible
A slower techno song, it's still powerful. The song once again proves to be straightforward. It is about life after death. Jesus died for us so we could be with Him forever, making us invincible.
You know you just can't kill a man when he's dead, you know the spirit survives (Invincible!). You can't stop the advance of the kingdom to come, you know the truth is alive (Invincible!).
...and I come. And I rest in the shelter of Your love. And I rest in the wonder of Your grace. And I rest in the shelter of Your love. And I rest in the wonder of You.
Rest
The albums first ballad, it's actually one of my favorite songs on the album. The message is once again clear. We can also find strength and shelter in God.
Take all the old and You make it new. Everything I give to You. You're the hope that can pull me through. Hallelujah!
Come on, come on, come on to the future. Come all, come all the way. Come on, come on, come on to the future. The future is arranged.
Come on to the Future
Techno music laced with loud guitars makes one good song. The song itself would seem at first about destiny or fate, when really, if you read further in the lyrics, it's about the end of the world. It's about the coming of the Kingdom of God, and the Rapture. It's a song of hope, however, because when that day comes we will be set free from our sins. We will be set free from our pain, our shame, our past.
Invisible kingdom collides with space and time!
You're powerful, You're unshakeable!
You're Powerful
One of the heaviest, fastest songs on the record. This is basically a praise/worship song...Skillet style. Describing God as unchanging, omnipotent, and benevolent.
And when the ground begins to shake, and when my courage starts to fade, I let my fears go.
When I can't see, I will trust You! And when I get weak, I trust You! And when I just can't let it go, I trust that You are in control.
I Trust You
Another fairly heavy song, this song is about the difficult task of letting go of your own life and trusting that God knows what is best for you.
Caught in between knowing You and trusting me.
We must hold onto our faith in each other!
Each Other
The second ballad on the album, and the closest to a piano ballad a techno song can get. The
song is basically about trusting other people, whether it be to strenghten you, force you to be
accountable, or anything.
...But we gotta believe and stand together
It lives inside of me...The fire breathes!
The Fire Breathes
The heaviest song on the record, without a question. An excellent song about how, once the Word of God takes root in your heart, it will continue to spread. It will consume everything, and it is up to you to spread that fire to others, and let them know the Good News.
And I need life in this dead man to make me free!
Can't help but speak of what I've seen and heard. I understand just what the purpose is. Uncover peace; uncover hope for all to see. And I can't keep quiet, gotta shout it out to You! Say It Loud
A song that sounds like 80s rock combined with some techno. Basically a song similar to Best
Kept Secret, but the total opposite. The song is about spreading the Good News, to anyone and everyone.
Come right away to find the joy I've found. Don't hesitate to give up everything. Discover peace; discover hope, meaning of life. I've got to say it, gotta shout it out to You!
I carry on without knowing how, I've never needed how I'm needing now.
The One
Another ballad, this is a more typical praise song. Not much needs to be said more than that.
And You're the One that I need. The One who makes me complete. And You're the One who is strong When I am crying and weak. And You're the One that I love. The One who never gives up. And You're the One that I need. You're the One, You're the One.
The life inside is breaking out!
You're In My Brain
A final heavy song, it combines techno and hard rock similar to The Fire Breathes. The song is another one about giving your life to God, and letting Him take control.
You're in my mind, in my mind; Breaking out!
I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord and as I raise my hands I sing.
Angels Fall Down
A hidden worship song. Very slow, but somewhat haunting, the way Cooper's vocals combine with the music.
I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord the hurt and the broken find rest here.
Skillet's 2000 release, Invincible, brought their techno/electronic rock to a whole new level.
You're the best kept secret in my generation, the best kept secret of all time.
Best Kept Secret
Opening with blazing synthesizers, the song points out the sad truth that God is a secret, that too many people keep. It's a straightforward, great song.
And I can't live for myself, I can't keep this all to myself.
You take my rights away, you take control, no stopping you. You take my rights away, I can take it!
You Take My Rights Away
After a slow, techno intro, the song takes off and proves to be one of the heavier songs on the record. The song is another straightforward song about surrendering your life to God.
You define me with your identity, lose my life in you, I can take, I'll take what it cost me.
I'm invincible, I'm unshakeable through the truth in my soul.
Invincible
A slower techno song, it's still powerful. The song once again proves to be straightforward. It is about life after death. Jesus died for us so we could be with Him forever, making us invincible.
You know you just can't kill a man when he's dead, you know the spirit survives (Invincible!). You can't stop the advance of the kingdom to come, you know the truth is alive (Invincible!).
...and I come. And I rest in the shelter of Your love. And I rest in the wonder of Your grace. And I rest in the shelter of Your love. And I rest in the wonder of You.
Rest
The albums first ballad, it's actually one of my favorite songs on the album. The message is once again clear. We can also find strength and shelter in God.
Take all the old and You make it new. Everything I give to You. You're the hope that can pull me through. Hallelujah!
Come on, come on, come on to the future. Come all, come all the way. Come on, come on, come on to the future. The future is arranged.
Come on to the Future
Techno music laced with loud guitars makes one good song. The song itself would seem at first about destiny or fate, when really, if you read further in the lyrics, it's about the end of the world. It's about the coming of the Kingdom of God, and the Rapture. It's a song of hope, however, because when that day comes we will be set free from our sins. We will be set free from our pain, our shame, our past.
Invisible kingdom collides with space and time!
You're powerful, You're unshakeable!
You're Powerful
One of the heaviest, fastest songs on the record. This is basically a praise/worship song...Skillet style. Describing God as unchanging, omnipotent, and benevolent.
And when the ground begins to shake, and when my courage starts to fade, I let my fears go.
When I can't see, I will trust You! And when I get weak, I trust You! And when I just can't let it go, I trust that You are in control.
I Trust You
Another fairly heavy song, this song is about the difficult task of letting go of your own life and trusting that God knows what is best for you.
Caught in between knowing You and trusting me.
We must hold onto our faith in each other!
Each Other
The second ballad on the album, and the closest to a piano ballad a techno song can get. The
song is basically about trusting other people, whether it be to strenghten you, force you to be
accountable, or anything.
...But we gotta believe and stand together
It lives inside of me...The fire breathes!
The Fire Breathes
The heaviest song on the record, without a question. An excellent song about how, once the Word of God takes root in your heart, it will continue to spread. It will consume everything, and it is up to you to spread that fire to others, and let them know the Good News.
And I need life in this dead man to make me free!
Can't help but speak of what I've seen and heard. I understand just what the purpose is. Uncover peace; uncover hope for all to see. And I can't keep quiet, gotta shout it out to You! Say It Loud
A song that sounds like 80s rock combined with some techno. Basically a song similar to Best
Kept Secret, but the total opposite. The song is about spreading the Good News, to anyone and everyone.
Come right away to find the joy I've found. Don't hesitate to give up everything. Discover peace; discover hope, meaning of life. I've got to say it, gotta shout it out to You!
I carry on without knowing how, I've never needed how I'm needing now.
The One
Another ballad, this is a more typical praise song. Not much needs to be said more than that.
And You're the One that I need. The One who makes me complete. And You're the One who is strong When I am crying and weak. And You're the One that I love. The One who never gives up. And You're the One that I need. You're the One, You're the One.
The life inside is breaking out!
You're In My Brain
A final heavy song, it combines techno and hard rock similar to The Fire Breathes. The song is another one about giving your life to God, and letting Him take control.
You're in my mind, in my mind; Breaking out!
I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord and as I raise my hands I sing.
Angels Fall Down
A hidden worship song. Very slow, but somewhat haunting, the way Cooper's vocals combine with the music.
I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord the hurt and the broken find rest here.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Creation Festival 2009
After a long day of sitting in the hot HOT sun with next to nothing to eat or drink and no potty breaks, and suffering through Remedy Drive and Bluetree, Reggie Dabbs came on. He was excellent, but not who I was there to see (that didn't stop me from buying an mp3 version of his sermon). After Reggie, Skillet came on!
Their AMAZING new intro kicked things off (good quality video found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNDGNFRto-s), followed immediately by Whispers in the Dark, which is my personal favorite Comatose song they perform live. Next up was Better Than Drugs, which is a close second for me, as well as being my favorite lyrics from Comatose. Next up were Older I Get, Comatose (including the Comatose Tour intro, minus the countdown), and Best Kept Secret, with BKS being the best song out of the trio. Next up was a new song, Hero, with John giving a short speech on why exactly the world does need a Hero. John then gave his power ballad speech and played the chrous of I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi, before playing Yours to Hold. The Last Night was next, with an awesome outro, followed by a Jen Ledger Drum Solo, which was awesome. I think she got about 6 proposals during it....anyway, John then handed his bass over to Scottyrock (their AWESOME tour manager), and continued into Those Nights, where he pulled the crowd cam (see the footage here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=12268788&blogID=498965303) Then John introduced another new song, Monster, which rocked the crowd. Then Tate and Jonathan got a Cello and Violin solo, respectively, before playing rebirthing with awesome spinny fireworks. The ended with Savior, with an awesome outro.
Things that were awesome: It's a Skillet show.....and they had PYRO...and fireworks...
Things I didn't like: They didn't have enough time, so they skipped Forsaken and How Deep The Father's Love For Us. They also didn't get their My Obsession encore.
Their AMAZING new intro kicked things off (good quality video found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNDGNFRto-s), followed immediately by Whispers in the Dark, which is my personal favorite Comatose song they perform live. Next up was Better Than Drugs, which is a close second for me, as well as being my favorite lyrics from Comatose. Next up were Older I Get, Comatose (including the Comatose Tour intro, minus the countdown), and Best Kept Secret, with BKS being the best song out of the trio. Next up was a new song, Hero, with John giving a short speech on why exactly the world does need a Hero. John then gave his power ballad speech and played the chrous of I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi, before playing Yours to Hold. The Last Night was next, with an awesome outro, followed by a Jen Ledger Drum Solo, which was awesome. I think she got about 6 proposals during it....anyway, John then handed his bass over to Scottyrock (their AWESOME tour manager), and continued into Those Nights, where he pulled the crowd cam (see the footage here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=12268788&blogID=498965303) Then John introduced another new song, Monster, which rocked the crowd. Then Tate and Jonathan got a Cello and Violin solo, respectively, before playing rebirthing with awesome spinny fireworks. The ended with Savior, with an awesome outro.
Things that were awesome: It's a Skillet show.....and they had PYRO...and fireworks...
Things I didn't like: They didn't have enough time, so they skipped Forsaken and How Deep The Father's Love For Us. They also didn't get their My Obsession encore.
Hey You, I Love Your Soul
I have to say, there was a period of time (about 2002-2009) that I would not listen to this album, despite owning it. I have started to again, but I don't know it well enough to do a track by track review.
An electronic alternative rock sound opens up Skillet's sophomore album in 1998, and shocks many listeners. Favorites include the title track, Locked in a Cage, Pour, and More Faithful. 4/10.
An electronic alternative rock sound opens up Skillet's sophomore album in 1998, and shocks many listeners. Favorites include the title track, Locked in a Cage, Pour, and More Faithful. 4/10.
Skillet (album)
5/10
Skillet's 1996 debut album kicks off their career with a grunge sound.
When I feel the pain, I know why I feel strange. And when I hear the rooster crow, I am ashamed.
I Can
A typical grunge song, starting softly, picking up, getting soft, getting heavy, on and on and on. The lyrics are about someone who is lost or separated from God for some reason realizing that they can go back to Him.
Do you really love my soul, even after I hated you? And do you really know my name, can I really come to you? Are you really more faithful than the changing of the seasons and the morning sun? And do you really know my name? Can I really come to you? I can! I don't care if the rooster crows!
You want to soak my heart in gasoline, light a match and consume me. Soak my pride in gasoline. All of you and none of me!
Gasoline
Another typical grunge song, but slightly heavier than I Can. The lyrics describe being hurt, and wanting to protect our heart, and realizes that Jesus took all our sin away for us when he died for us.
I'm sitting with my heart out on the table next to a bloody mess that was once a man's heart. I looked at God and said "What do you want me to do with this?" He said "already done, already done, already done, that heart was Jesus"
Saturn has a ring around it, you can never see it with your eyes...
Saturn
The first ballad on the album. Nothing extraordinary. The lyrics kind of make fun of the fact that we can't see the rings around Saturn, but we believe that they are there. So then why don't we believe in Heaven and God, even if we can't see them?
Heaven has a ring around you! If you don't see it, know that it's true!
...oh, by the way, did you see me dressed in my-my beautiful robe?
My Beautiful Robe
A good grunge/rock song with a slight pop edge to the guitar. Lyrically, it is about trying to be perfect in the eyes of man, even though we cannot possibly hope to achieve perfection, or else Christ's sacrifice would have been worthless.
I was "crucified" with Christ, but how come I'm not dead? God gave me a cross, but I built my own instead...
***I would also like to explain the line I chose above: I believe that "crucified" is meant to mean that our physical bodies will die, and we have not been perfect. The question "how come I'm not dead" means: My sins should have condemned me to Hell, but why aren't I there?***
I am a promise maker, I-I am a promise breaker!
Promise Blender
Another pop-grunge tune. Talking about how we can make promises to man, and keep them, because they tend to be one time commitments. But we shouldn't make a promise to God, because those are for eternity, and we, being imperfect, cannot hope to keep those.
All I would heear You say is "you are the promise taker, you are the promise taker, you are the promise taker! Put them in your promise blender!
We cover up our shame, we walk in black and white, we turn this ground for hunger....WHY DID WE TAKE THAT BITE!?
Paint
A good grunge song about the first story in Genesis: God gave Adam and Eve everything anyone could want, and simply told them to not eat fruit from ONE specifiic tree. They did, and they lost it all. Why did they take that bite? But would anyone else have done something else if being tempted? Why would we take that bite? The choruses (paint me with an endless sunrise, paint me, yeah! paint me and open my eyes, paint me with the color of love) are asking God for forgiveness and direction, now that we have been lost to sin.
You took a walk on the planet, you gave us shade and light. You create mood and substance, how can I take a bite?
Safe with you, safe with you.
Safe With You
Another ballad, this time about the character of a loving God, who will protect us from Sin and a Second Death.
Lifting up my voice to the God who really sees, the God who is consumed with loving thoughts of me.
Come on, take your time. Try to choose the most believeable lie
You Thought
A song that starts off nice and heavy, then fades to what sounds like elavator music. The two sounds switch back and forth throughout the song. The song is about someone doing things, and faking regret. While it may fool man, God can see that you are not truly repentful.
To me it's no big surprise, I saw the emptiness in your eyes.
You have no boundaries. You cross my borders.
Boundaries
Not quite a ballad, but not as quite rocking as the rest of the album up to this point. The song is about letting God in your heart, and allowing Him to control of your life.
You are more than all that is outside of me. You are more than the riches inside of me.
Splinter me, splinter me...my heart, my head, splinter me.
Splinter
Musically in the same vein as Boundaries, and not an ideal closer for an album. The songs asks God to break us, and do His will to us.
Jesus whispered softly, Jesus shouted it out. His kingdom body is coming, but we nail Him up and hate each other.
Skillet's 1996 debut album kicks off their career with a grunge sound.
When I feel the pain, I know why I feel strange. And when I hear the rooster crow, I am ashamed.
I Can
A typical grunge song, starting softly, picking up, getting soft, getting heavy, on and on and on. The lyrics are about someone who is lost or separated from God for some reason realizing that they can go back to Him.
Do you really love my soul, even after I hated you? And do you really know my name, can I really come to you? Are you really more faithful than the changing of the seasons and the morning sun? And do you really know my name? Can I really come to you? I can! I don't care if the rooster crows!
You want to soak my heart in gasoline, light a match and consume me. Soak my pride in gasoline. All of you and none of me!
Gasoline
Another typical grunge song, but slightly heavier than I Can. The lyrics describe being hurt, and wanting to protect our heart, and realizes that Jesus took all our sin away for us when he died for us.
I'm sitting with my heart out on the table next to a bloody mess that was once a man's heart. I looked at God and said "What do you want me to do with this?" He said "already done, already done, already done, that heart was Jesus"
Saturn has a ring around it, you can never see it with your eyes...
Saturn
The first ballad on the album. Nothing extraordinary. The lyrics kind of make fun of the fact that we can't see the rings around Saturn, but we believe that they are there. So then why don't we believe in Heaven and God, even if we can't see them?
Heaven has a ring around you! If you don't see it, know that it's true!
...oh, by the way, did you see me dressed in my-my beautiful robe?
My Beautiful Robe
A good grunge/rock song with a slight pop edge to the guitar. Lyrically, it is about trying to be perfect in the eyes of man, even though we cannot possibly hope to achieve perfection, or else Christ's sacrifice would have been worthless.
I was "crucified" with Christ, but how come I'm not dead? God gave me a cross, but I built my own instead...
***I would also like to explain the line I chose above: I believe that "crucified" is meant to mean that our physical bodies will die, and we have not been perfect. The question "how come I'm not dead" means: My sins should have condemned me to Hell, but why aren't I there?***
I am a promise maker, I-I am a promise breaker!
Promise Blender
Another pop-grunge tune. Talking about how we can make promises to man, and keep them, because they tend to be one time commitments. But we shouldn't make a promise to God, because those are for eternity, and we, being imperfect, cannot hope to keep those.
All I would heear You say is "you are the promise taker, you are the promise taker, you are the promise taker! Put them in your promise blender!
We cover up our shame, we walk in black and white, we turn this ground for hunger....WHY DID WE TAKE THAT BITE!?
Paint
A good grunge song about the first story in Genesis: God gave Adam and Eve everything anyone could want, and simply told them to not eat fruit from ONE specifiic tree. They did, and they lost it all. Why did they take that bite? But would anyone else have done something else if being tempted? Why would we take that bite? The choruses (paint me with an endless sunrise, paint me, yeah! paint me and open my eyes, paint me with the color of love) are asking God for forgiveness and direction, now that we have been lost to sin.
You took a walk on the planet, you gave us shade and light. You create mood and substance, how can I take a bite?
Safe with you, safe with you.
Safe With You
Another ballad, this time about the character of a loving God, who will protect us from Sin and a Second Death.
Lifting up my voice to the God who really sees, the God who is consumed with loving thoughts of me.
Come on, take your time. Try to choose the most believeable lie
You Thought
A song that starts off nice and heavy, then fades to what sounds like elavator music. The two sounds switch back and forth throughout the song. The song is about someone doing things, and faking regret. While it may fool man, God can see that you are not truly repentful.
To me it's no big surprise, I saw the emptiness in your eyes.
You have no boundaries. You cross my borders.
Boundaries
Not quite a ballad, but not as quite rocking as the rest of the album up to this point. The song is about letting God in your heart, and allowing Him to control of your life.
You are more than all that is outside of me. You are more than the riches inside of me.
Splinter me, splinter me...my heart, my head, splinter me.
Splinter
Musically in the same vein as Boundaries, and not an ideal closer for an album. The songs asks God to break us, and do His will to us.
Jesus whispered softly, Jesus shouted it out. His kingdom body is coming, but we nail Him up and hate each other.
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